By: Chris Nosek

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

This game was fun to watch simply because it was so close and you felt like the Blues could tie it up at any point. The Jets are still only getting scoring from their top players while the Blues saw rookie Jimmy Snuggerud get his first playoff goal. Both Binnington and Hellebuyck were solid for the chances they saw and both were much more settled than in game one. The Blues should be able to get a boost from the home crowd in game three to keep themselves in the series. However, if they go down 3-0, I don’t see a path for them to avoid a sweep.

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

This was an incredible overtime thriller that both teams deserved to win. Both Jake Oettinger and Mackenzie Blackwood were great in their creases stopping chance after chance. Goals came from all over the lineup for both sides. The Stars came out with the critical win as the series heads to Colorado where it is expected the Avs will see Gabriel Landeskog return to the lineup. If we see this Stars team going forward we’re in for one hell of a series that should go all seven games.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Heading to New Jersey, the Devils now face an 0-2 hole in the series. This game was probably a little closer than game one, and closer than the 3-1 score indicates. Both goaltenders played very well in this one, but it was Anderson who was one save better again. The Devils were able to gain the offensive zone and sustain pressure, but Anderson stood tall and played great. Home ice has been an advantage and a difference maker for the Canes and that held true again in this one. Given how close they’ve been able to keep these road games, the Devils will be able to tie the series…as long as they get the first one on home ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

The Senators has much better composure in this game than they showed in game one. Stolarz had another great game while Ullmark looked questionable again early. Ullmark still looked unsettled and had some issues with some of the rebounds he gave up. The Leafs got some lucky bounces to take their lead, but the Sens fought back as the Leafs seemed to lose their fight. Going to overtime helped the Leafs as the end of regulation gave them a key opportunity to reset after giving up the lead. Ottawa needs to take game three and show they can break through against this team, otherwise this series will most definitely end in a sweep.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild

This was exactly the kind of game that Minnesota had to respond with after their loss in game one. They had extra push early and lots of pace to their game and they were able to jump out to a lead early. They’ll be able to take a lot of confidence from their 5 goals on only 17 shots and remember going forward that they can beat Hill. Gustavsson had another very strong outing as he stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced and Minnesota got a much needed split on the road. Those who picked Vegas in a landslide should take note of this game as the Wild just showed it will be a very close series.

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens

The Caps took their series lead to two games, which was expected. It was another great fight for Montreal, and they even lead for a bit. Once the Caps took the lead back though, Montreal couldn’t beat Logan Thompson no matter how much they pelted him in the 3rd period. Overall, Thompson’s off to a start that can rival what Tim Thomas did in 2011. On the other side, Sam Montembault has been great as well and has kept his team in each game so far, but the offense needs to get going. The series now shifts to Montreal where the Habs desperately need to take game three. If they don’t, then this series is the sweep some predicted.

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

After giving up 11 goals over the first two games, Stuart Skinner was chased from this game. The timing of the switch was weird to me, and I’m not sure how Kris Knoblauch can even think about going back to him is Calvin Pickard struggles. The Kings have been playing strong defensively and stifling the Edmonton offense. Kuemper has gotten some great help while Skinner hasn’t gotten any help at all. The series now shifts to Edmonton, and the Oilers need to figure some stuff out – regardless of who is starts in goal. If the Kings take game 3, the series is all but over.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers

This was the type of game I expected to see starting in Game 1. Overall, it was tightly contested and loaded with back and forth action. Both sides generated great chances and both goaltenders were fantastic. The game was decided by the early goal scored by Nate Schmidt and an empty netter tacked on at the end. Both teams couldn’t find a way to score on the power play, and were almost dead even on hits and giveaways. If the Panthers are able to take both games on the road, the series is probably much closer to over than it should be, but we all knew about the depth they had coming into the series. This could end up being an unexpected sweep.